Miss South Africa 2024, Mia Le Roux, is using her crown to make a real difference, through her Mia Le Roux Movement, she is standing up for young people in South Africa who are often forgotten: the deaf and disabled.
Partnering with the B4i Academy, Mia’s latest project focuses on giving these youth a chance to learn and grow. The goal? To make sure that young people with disabilities are not left out of the economy, but instead, are given the tools to succeed.
According to The Citizen, right now 160 students are already part of the B4i Academy. Many of them are hearing-impaired or living with other forms of disability. They are studying towards real qualifications in subjects like Business Administration, Computing, and Wholesale and Retail.
“These are smart, talented individuals,” Mia says. “They don’t need handouts, they just need someone to open the door.”
Once they finish their courses, every learner will receive a nationally i certificate, ranging from NQF Level 2 to Level 5. But more importantly, they will leave with the confidence and skills to get jobs in different industries.
For Mia, this isn’t just about charity — it’s about fairness and building a better future. “The truth is, we can’t grow as a country if we’re leaving people behind. Including people with disabilities in our economy isn’t charity, it’s smart,” she says.
Now, she’s calling on businesses to step up and be part of the change. She says companies, big and small, can help by offering funding, mentorship, or by hiring the graduates.
“This isn’t just about raising awareness,” Mia adds. “It’s about creating actual pathways — where young people with disabilities can learn, work, and thrive.”
The second round of applications for this program is now open and will close on 8 July 2025 at 6 pm. Deaf, hard-of-hearing, and differently abled young South Africans are encouraged to apply through the Miss South Africa website, the B4i Project site, or the Miss SA App. They can also find the links on Mia’s and Miss SA’s social media pages.
Mia says this is just the start: “If we all play our part, if we show up and support we can create a country where everyone gets a fair shot. That’s the dream.”
